Energy Secretary invokes Defense Production Act to force restart of Santa Ynez oil operations off California coast
Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked the Defense Production Act on March 13, 2026, ordering Sable Offshore Corp. to restore the Santa Ynez unit and pipelines off Santa Barbara to address West Coast energy supply and military readiness risks.
Key takeaways
- Federal directive: The order instructs Sable Offshore to restore the Santa Ynez unit, three offshore rigs, pipelines, and the Las Flores Canyon Processing Facility — a move framed as protecting energy security (ClickOrlando).
- Capacity impact: Las Flores could produce about 50,000 barrels per day, roughly replacing 1.5 million barrels of foreign crude monthly, according to DOE officials (ClickOrlando).
- State pushback: California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and AG Rob Bonta, call the order unlawful and pledge litigation to stop a restart (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
- Local effects: Inland communities like Hesperia may see indirect benefits in fuel-price stability but face environmental and political concerns tied to coastal risks.
Main coverage
What the order does and why officials say it was needed
Energy Secretary Chris Wright used the Cold War–era Defense Production Act authority on March 13, 2026, directing Texas-based Sable Offshore Corp. to restore the Santa Ynez unit, including three rigs in federal waters, offshore and onshore pipelines, and the Las Flores Canyon Processing Facility (ClickOrlando).
Department of Energy officials highlighted the Las Flores facility’s potential to produce roughly 50,000 barrels per day — about 1.5 million barrels per month — which the department described as a material replacement for imported crude on the West Coast and a measure to protect military readiness and supply resilience (ClickOrlando).
Wright issued a statement saying the administration is “committed to putting all Americans and their energy security first” and that the order would “restore a pipeline system vital to our national security and defense” and ensure reliable energy for West Coast military installations (ClickOrlando).
Legal fight and California’s response
California officials immediately challenged the federal move. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the directive an “attempt to illegally restart a pipeline whose operators are facing criminal charges and prohibited by multiple court orders from restarting,” and pledged to return to court to block any restart (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
Attorney General Rob Bonta had previously sued the federal government in January 2026 over approval of Sable’s restart plans, arguing California retains regulatory authority over pipelines that traverse county lines and that federal approvals attempted to usurp state oversight (ClickOrlando).
News reporting and official statements reference criminal charges and court orders, but publicly available documentation cited by outlets does not detail the specific charges or list the exact court documents Gov. Newsom referenced; readers should expect expanded filings and responses in the days ahead (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
Historical background: the 2015 spill and safety concerns
Sable’s Santa Ynez unit was idled after a 2015 oil spill that damaged offshore and onshore infrastructure. That incident remains a central issue in debates over California offshore drilling; environmental groups and local leaders warn that restarting the unit could risk another major spill and threaten coastal communities, fisheries, and tourism (YouTube reporting and archival coverage).
Supporters — including federal energy officials and many in the oil industry — emphasize the potential domestic production benefits, arguing that Las Flores output would bolster supply, lower dependence on foreign crude, and support national security and prices. Opponents point to past damage and potential economic and environmental costs to the coast (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
How big a supply change would this be?
Department officials provided the 50,000 barrels-per-day figure to illustrate scale. If achieved, that output would amount to roughly 1.5 million barrels per month, which the department described as a meaningful replacement for imported crude on the West Coast and a potential stabilizer for regional fuel prices (ClickOrlando).
Policy backdrop and related federal moves
The decision follows earlier federal actions: on his first day in a second term, President Trump signed an executive order reversing the prior administration’s ban on future offshore drilling on the East and West coasts, and a federal court later struck down a plan to withdraw 625 million acres of federal waters from oil development. Those moves set the policy backdrop for assertive federal efforts to restart production where possible (ClickOrlando).
Related developments and national context
Secretary Wright has publicly linked the order to broader global oil risks, citing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere as reasons the department has previously released Strategic Petroleum Reserve volumes and remains concerned about supply disruptions. Contextual media items cited by the department and outlets include reporting and interviews on energy risks (Newsonair; Fox News; YouTube).
Gaps in the public record
Public statements and news reports present strong assertions on both sides, but specific independent documentation remains limited in the initial federal and state releases. Reporters did not find full public records of the criminal charges Gov. Newsom referenced or the precise court orders he cited; more documentation and filings are expected as litigation unfolds (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
Implications for Hesperia, California
Economic and energy implications
Hesperia, located inland in San Bernardino County, is not adjacent to Santa Barbara, but a federal restart could still affect residents. Increased West Coast domestic oil output could help stabilize gasoline and diesel prices statewide, easing fuel costs for commuters, truckers, and local businesses if Las Flores reaches near 50,000 barrels per day (ClickOrlando).
Military and infrastructure considerations
Federal officials say restoring the pipeline supports reliable energy for West Coast military installations. While Hesperia does not host major naval bases, many residents have family in the military and local firms contract with defense suppliers; officials argue any measure that strengthens military readiness indirectly benefits communities across Southern California (ClickOrlando).
Political and legal fallout
Hesperia sits in a region that often leans conservative on fiscal and energy issues. Local conservative readers may view the federal action as a win for energy independence and economic security. County and city leaders who prioritize energy jobs and lower fuel costs may support the Biden-era reversal and federal use of the Defense Production Act oil authorities. Conversely, the clash with California’s government may trigger litigation that delays any restart and creates local uncertainty (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
Environmental and community concerns
Hesperia residents often value California’s coastal tourism even if the city is inland. State leaders warn that a restart threatens the coast and the broader $51 billion coastal economy; local families who vacation along the Central Coast or work in tourism may view the environmental risks as weighing heavily against energy benefits. Civic groups may press for details on safety inspections and emergency response plans if operations proceed (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
What Hesperia leaders and residents can watch next
- Court filings and emergency motions from California or Sable Offshore Corp. clarifying the legal constraints Gov. Newsom cited (ClickOrlando).
- Department of Energy follow-up notices detailing restoration timelines, safety oversight, and contractors performing work under the Defense Production Act order (ClickOrlando).
- Any statements from Sable Offshore about readiness, liability, environmental protections, and whether the company accepts the federal direction (ClickOrlando; Fortune).
Bottom line: As legal teams prepare next steps, Hesperia residents and leaders should closely track court filings and DOE notices to gauge whether Santa Ynez can legally and safely resume operations and when any increased oil output might reach regional markets.
